There is a benefit available to residents of state pension age called Attendance Allowance which is there to help with the extra costs faced by people with health issues, care needs or disabilities. It is not means-tested and it doesn’t matter how much pension income you get or how much savings you have.

How much you receive depends on the level of support you need with everyday activities. The standard rate is £72.65 per week and the higher rate is £108.55 per week. We encourage everyone of state pension age, who has help from someone to look after them, to apply for Attendance Allowance. 

If you qualify for Attendance Allowance you could also be eligible for Pension Credit, the Winter Fuel Payment, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction . If you are over 75 years old you may be entitled to further benefits once Attendance Allowance is in place. 

Visit the Attendance Allowance page on the GOV.UK website for more information and to print the form off. 

Help is available from our Financial Inclusion team and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. They can help you to check your eligibility, complete the form and post it to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). You can contact our Financial Inclusion team by phone on 01293 438931.